Angela Merkel tells Theresa May she ‘deplores’ Britain’s exit from the EU at crunch talks in Germany

British PM and Finance Minister talk Brexit plans1:29

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Finance Minister Phillip Hammond have held the first of two cabinet talks in an attempt to establish common ground over Brexit.
The talks come as the true cost of Britain's departure from the EU to the British economy becomes clear.

She said: “We have very competent negotiating partners, but what they often lack is a clear political orientation, and that’s because the political discussion in the UK isn’t over.

“They don’t know what version of Brexit a majority stood for. The remaining time is short, but we need clarity.”

Ahead of the visit Mrs Merkel’s spokesman warned that “time is running out” to hammer out a transition and trade deal.

German officials are said to be frustrated with the lack of clarity and progress on plans for our split.

Britain and the EU are currently thrashing out a transition deal — which will come into place after March 2019 when we leave the bloc, but will keep many rules the same to help businesses prepare and adjust.